The epic season-opening showdown between No. 5 Georgia and No. 3 Clemson is Saturday night. Georgia isn’t it the best shape when it comes to injury, losing multiple starters to minor injuries in fall camp.
Just weeks before the top-five clash, Georgia tight ends Darnell Washington and John Fitzpatrick, receivers Kearis Jackson and Jermaine Burton, defensive back Tykee Smith and center Warren Ericson went down with injuries during fall camp.
It wasn’t like the Bulldogs were at 100% before then. Receiver Dominick Blaylock is still recovering from an ACL tear suffered last year. He was lethal as a true freshman before going down with two straight ACL tears to the same knee. Coach Kirby Smart did confirm Blaylock still had more work to do before taking the field in a press conference earlier this week.
George Pickens suffered the same injury in the spring, and LSU transfer Arik Gilbert is still not with the team due to a personal issue. Two big shots to Georgia’s wideout depth before the opener.
There is good news, however, Fitzpatrick is good to go for Saturday and Jackson, Burton and Ericson have been able to practice the last couple of weeks and will take the field in Charlotte.
Smart also expressed on Tuesday, that Ericson has looked good since coming back.
As far as Washington and Smith, coach Kirby Smart told reporters on Monday that the two are both moving around after undergoing surgery to repair foot injuries a couple of weeks ago. Although we hope we’re wrong, we expect both to miss week-one.
Here’s an updated look at Georgia’s injury report ahead of the matchup with Clemson.
